ENTHEOS GATHERING and INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP GATHERING

INTENTION

The Entheos Conference is a potent part of a saga that is roughly a decade long and begins with a notion about creating sustainable culture in conjunction with the creative and fun vehicle of dance culture. It pulls from the meme of 2012 as a catalyst for mobilizing change. It’s timing around the solstice offers a chance to tap into the peak energies of the year. It offers opportunity for learning how to be conscious through jedi training and forming cooperation across a spectrum of inter-related elements.

The intention of the Conference is to continue to evolve and offer participants the new edge of festival conference experience integrated with the larger goals of the Entheos Gathering. More Info – http://entheosgathering.com

4^th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS LEADERSIP GATHERING: PROTECTING THE SACRED

The St’át’imc Chiefs’ Council will once again oversee the 4^th Annual International Indigenous Leadership Gathering in St’át’imc Territory, June 21^st to June 24^th, 2012 at the Julianne Hall, (Lillooet. B.C., Canada). The theme is “Protecting the Sacred”. All people from across the globe are more than welcome to join the gathering, it is free, meals are included, and this is an outdoors event, which takes place at the arbor. People come to camp together to witness, partake in scheduled discussions, send messages. All people that are gathered to do speaking at this event will be Indigenous Peoples from across the globe or from close by. The only thing that we ask of you is to please bring your own gear, camping atire, blankets, also we would like for you to bring your own plates & cutlery (Cooking gear if possible). *Please Respect, Reduce, Re-use & Recycle.

Unfortunately, some Worldwide Indigenous Peoples are facing rapid cultural-loss due to the aggressive assimilation policies that are still underway. At the same time, the remaining elders are quickly passing on. Continent to continent, the teachings that have guided countless generations, rooting the children and connecting the youth, are at risk. Recognizing this crossroads, the elders across many Indigenous cultures have warned that we must act now to safeguard the teachings. Governments call these teachings ‘traditional knowledge’; however, it is Sacred Knowledge, Sacred Life Relationships, connecting us all in the Circle of Life.

Throughout the first, second, and third, gatherings we have heard shared-teachings from the Hopi, Lakota, Maya & other Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island as well as throughout the world who say that the time for reconnection is now. Time is short for restoring our balance. The children need us to move with truth, love, spirit and discipline. We have been instructed to come together for real reflection. Unlike other meetings, this gathering will take place at a sacred site (near Swena7em), in the heart of an Indigenous Nation’s ancestral territory.   

 The Gathering has brought together elders, ceremony keepers, and mandated leaders from the four directions including: Asia, Africa, the America’s (including the Arctic), Australia, & the South Pacific to discuss issues of common concern, based on territory, as well as visions for honoring our shared responsibilities. The four critical issues to be addressed include:

1) Sacred Knowledge- Embracing the guidance of our ancestors and elders, to live in balance.

2) Sacred Lands- Respecting the rhythms and warnings of Mother Earth to choose wisely.

3) Sacred Children- Nurturing the young ones, both near and far.

4) Sacred Generations- providing for future generations, the grandchildren and for all humanity.

Addressing such topics in their proper cultural context will provide a breakthrough for Indigenous Peoples internationally. It offers protection for the children and grounding for the youth, at a time when meaningful initiatives for tackling the root causes of culture loss are scarce. There will be relevant guidance from recognized spiritual authorities instead of further outside ‘expert’ prescriptions. Indigenous Peoples themselves will address the pressing global issues at which their Peoples now find themselves the centre of, as an example, climate change.

The St’át’imc Chiefs’ Council raise our hands to you in gratitude for your continued support for this unique gathering based on vision. We would also like to take this time to officially invite you to our gathering (that is open to all people, world-wide). Please note that if you provide a financial donation, the St’át’imc Chiefs’ Council will also provide you or your organization with a charitable society address number for Canadian taxation purposes.

For more information, to volunteer, donate funds, bulk or traditional foods; please contact Darrel Bob, IILG Coordinator, at: 1 (250) 256-7523 or email info@iilg.ca. www.iilg.ca or blog: www.iilg.posterous.com. We ask that you attend in good spirit, respect all people and cultures, the IILG Indigenous Grounds, protocols, and mother earth. More info – http://www.iilg.ca